When this article was under consideration in the National
Convention it was observed, that every mode of electing
the chief magistrate of a powerful nation hitherto adopted
is liable to objection. The instances where violence has
been used, and murders committed, are numerous; those,
in which artifice and fraud have succeeded against the
general wish and will, are innumerable. And hence it was
inferred, that the mode least favorable to intrigue and corruption,
that in which the unbiassed voice of the people
will be most attended to, and that which is least likely to
terminate in violence and usurpation, ought to be [Volume 3, Page 555]
adopted. To impress conviction on this subject, the case of
Poland was not unaptly cited. Great and ambitious Princes
took part in the election of a Polish King. Money, threats,
and force were employed; violence, bloodshed, and
oppression ensued; and now that country is parcelled out
among the neighboring Potentates, one of whom was but
a petty Prince two centuries ago.

The evils, which have been felt in the present mode of
election, were pointed out to the Convention; but, after
due advisement, the other mode appeared more exceptionable.
Indeed, if the present be changed, it might be
better to abolish the office of Vice President, and leave to
legislative provision the case of a vacancy in the seat of the
first magistrate.

The Convention was aware, that every species of trick
and contrivance would be practised by the ambitious and
unprincipled. It was, therefore, conceived, that if in elections
the President and Vice President were distinctly designated,
there would generally be a vote given for one of
only two rival Presidents, while there would be numerous
candidates for the other office; because he, who wished to
become President, would naturally connect himself with
some popular man of each particular district, for the sake
of his local influence, so that the Vice Presidency would be
but as a bait to catch state gudgeons. The person chosen
would have only a partial vote, be perhaps unknown to the
greater part of the community, and probably unfit for
those duties, which the death of a President might call on
him to perform.

The Convention not only foresaw, that a scene might
take place similar to that of the last presidential election,
but even supposed it not impossible, that at some time or
other a person admirably fitted for the office of President
might have an equal vote with one totally unqualified, and
that, by the predominance of faction in the House of Representatives,
the latter might be preferred. This, which is
the greatest supposable evil of the present mode, was
calmly examined, and it appeared that, however prejudicial
it might be at the present moment, a useful lesson
would result from it for the future, to teach contending
parties the importance of giving both votes to men fit for
the first office.